Meeting Minutes for April 3, 2012
Lancaster County Workforce Investment Board
Executive Committee
Minutes
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
3:30 p.m.
Liberty Place, Room 112
Present: James Black, Steve Fries, Stephen Grosh, Gary Grube, Sharon Leese, Jean Martin, Linda Kreider (Ex-Officio)
Not Present: Thomas Baldrige, Eric Horn, Donald F. Johnson Jr.
Staff: Andrew Garner, Rod Kopp, Joyce Lenox, Anna Ramos, Scott Sheely, Kim Sullenberger
Operators Representative: Trish Link
Guests: Corey Carolla, Richard Daniels, Renee Parnell, Dan Peat, William Moulfair
Call to Order
Sharon Leese called the meeting to order at 3:37 p.m., and thanked everyone for coming. Scott briefed everyone on the guests from Michigan joining us. Sharon had all the Michigan guests introduce and everyone in attendance introduce themselves.
Consent Agenda
Approval of Minutes from March 6, 2012 meeting
Minutes approved unanimously on motion from Stephen Grosh and second from James Black.
Discussion Items
Issues Related to Fiscal Management
Rod Kopp reported meeting with Fulton Bank and Susquehanna Bank on changing our bank relationship. Both assure us there is no problem having a checking account set up for internet viewing only. Both seemed to think getting a line of credit with their banks would not be a problem. Susquehanna bank was asking about a strategic plan along with a list of Board members on our company letterhead. We should have both proposals to take to the Finance Committee meeting at the end of April and be able to bring it to the EC in May. Question was asked if there are restrictions when money is obligated and not spent on moving funds to a new bank and the answer was no.
Don Johnson provided the name of a consultant for assistance in developing a new chart of accounts. Management has met with her and are looking at options available. We will definitely be adding a report-writing module to customize reports in the future. We hope to have new chart of accounts ready to go by July 1, 2012.
Neighborhood Meeting
Anna Ramos informed everyone of a neighbor who has had problems with PA CareerLink clients. She has been vocal with her feelings to the clients and to staff at the PA CareerLink in some inappropriate ways. The PA CareerLink staff had conversations with the police in both Lancaster City and Manheim Township regarding situations and there is really nothing that anyone can do as people have the right to park in any open spots.
Scott Sheely would like to have a forum or informational session in the evenings with the neighborhood in the surrounding blocks to start dialog, to listen to their concerns, and inform them of the basic mission of the PA CareerLink. The police from both Townships, possibly the Mayor of Lancaster and Supervisors of Manheim Township, along with PA CareerLink would all be in attendance. Executive Committee will be informed when these will take place.
Closing the Previous Relationship with the County of Lancaster
Scott Sheely reported a letter has been sent to the County of Lancaster to finalize the reconciliation of all equipment/furniture and the clearing account. It was requested in the letter to have an official letter in return acknowledging the reconciliations and finalizing the transfer of equipment/furniture. A date was given for this request (which has passed) and no letter was received. We assume they are okay with everything.
Scott Sheely reported the only requirements of the County Commissioners going forward after July 1, 2012 are to appoint Board Members and approve the Budget. The regulations and law do not require a Local Elected Officials-WIB MOU. However, with the County still having fiduciary responsibility, a new Memorandum of Understanding will be suggested to the Commissioners effective July 1, 2012. It will be written with language requiring the minimum from the County as defined by the Commonwealth. If the County Commissioners decide not to sign it a 1-2 page document summarizing what has transpired should become part of the file.
Action Items
Approval of Fiscal Report through February 29, 2012 (From Finance Committee)
Rod Kopp reported the Finance Committee met and reviewed the February fiscal report. Rod reported under Training for $400,000 about ½ is obligated for short term ITA training and pre-employment training. The Corporate Center is over spent at 144% but the social enterprise plan for printing should take care of some of these expenditures.
Scott Sheely reported that, with the business plan being done for social enterprise by Jessica King of ASSETS, we are being very careful with pricing, competition, discounting, sales and marketing. We should be able to cover about $13,000 of the deficit before the end of the year. Scott reported we are moving back implementation of the social enterprise ideas as we have missed the Landscaping for this year. With the new venture and learning curve, we want to be sure we do things correct from the beginning.
The Approval of the Fiscal Report through February 29, 2012 was approved unanimously on motion from the Finance Committee and second from Steve Fries.
Approval of February ARRA Report (From Finance Committee)
Rod Kopp reported the Finance Committee reviewed the February ARRA report. The only change is for staff salary and fringe. We are looking to spend the balance of the money allocated to Berks County by the end of the grant or getting an extension until December 31, 2012.
The Approval of January ARRA Report was approved unanimously on motion from the Finance Committee and second from Jim Black.
Approval of Revised 2011-2012 Budget (From Finance Committee)
Rod Kopp reported the Finance Committee reviewed the revised 2011-2012 Budget. The revisions to revenue are for changes in allocations for formula funds, de-obligation of NEG money, carry over for Young Parent Grant money, new grant money for RMO activities, and the income generated for work done with employers in the PA CareerLink. The revisions to expenses are for de-obligation for NEG money, new grant money for RMO activities, expensing carry over for the Young Parent Grant, and decrease from EDSI in their budget. The EARN deficit balance is dropping.
The Approval of Revised 2011-2012 Budget was approved unanimously on motion from the Finance Committee and second from Steve Fries.
Approval of Low Income Definition of TANF Eligibility (From Youth Council)
Andrew Garner reported that to clarify youth served by TANF funding, the Youth Council recommends changes to the low-income definition. This would align funding for TANF and low income to include one of the WIA criteria required. This change was being used in the pat but was never approved as policy. This would not change the volume of Youth service. TANF cash assistance participants will always receive priority for funding.
The Approval of Low Income Definition of TANF eligibility was approved unanimously on motion from Stephen Grosh and second from Jean Martin.
Staff Reports
Youth Coordinator
Sharon Leese reported Andrew Garner received a standing ovation at the Recognition Breakfast at the School District of Lancaster for his work with them.
Andrew reported the Job Shadowing week is April 23-27. He will report back numbers at the June meeting. Camp season has kicked in with 13 camps planned and scholarships for TANF youth. There will be two camp funded at 100% at the School District of Lancaster for 300 kids in 5th grade and CTC at Mt Joy for Exploring STEM for middle school students. New this year will be levels of sponsorships for private employers. These funds will help meet supplies and other needs of campers.
PA CareerLink Administrator
Anna Ramos reported totals show 18% of the customers coming into the PA CareerLink are UC driven and of the 385 new customers 71% are UC driven. With these numbers, it is taking 200 hours of staff time to cover the Resource Room. This does not include the 10-15 calls a day Anna gets and emails. The response time for most calls and emails is the same day. All the workshops are fully booked. For March, there were 188 intakes, 37 Job Search enrolls, and 14 going into training. EARN reported 49 enrollments and 95% completion of Ready2Work.
Career Pathways training was done with staff on March 22 and March 30. The next step will be for 2 day sessions for outside agencies and schools to train for Career Pathways. Leadership Team will be following up with staff to see if they are using resources in appointments and if any questions still need answered.
The Job Fair on March 14, 2012 had 57 employers along with PA CareerLink partners in attendance. About 1,400 people participated. A survey was done with attendees. Of the CareerLink attendees, 325 were new customers and 695 existing customers. Constant Contact was the way most heard about the Job Fair.
Anna reported there is an administrative team now in place for the PA CareerLink. Michelle Deller is taking the lead and overseeing Roxy and Devon. She is working on organizing the front end so it runs more smoothly. Sharon Leese thanked Anna for the informative report.
Fiscal Director
Rod Kopp reported the budget amount of $119,000 for 7/1-12/31/11 allocations from the County seems to be right in line. Rod reported the Audit for year ending June 30, 2011 has been completed. The Finance Committee will be reviewing and bringing it to the EC in May 2012. Rod happily reported there were no findings and no corrective action needed.
Executive Director
Scott Sheely reported ...
• He was down in Virginia with George Hurst from Oregon Dairy and did six presentations in 2 days on agriculture and economic development. They are looking at our area for innovative ideas. While in Shenandoah Valley, the topic of industrial maintenance and mechatronics came up. He has received an email from connections in Virginia wanting to visit Lancaster and see what training we are doing. Sharing of ideas keeps the Lancaster County WIB in the front of the pack for many programs.
• He submitted a $12 million dollar grant to the US Department of Labor for the Industrial Maintenance Training Center statewide program. All the WIBs in Pennsylvania have submitted letters of support along with 12 of the 14 community colleges. We would be the fiscal agent for this grant. He has received notice of a possible visit from a dignitary to the area to see more of the IMTC training and what innovation it offers.
• He will be going to Chicago to present at the WorkKeys Conference. WorkKeys assessments have really taken hold in PA.
• The Career Pathways training and counseling is becoming a part of the program in the PA CareerLink. As staff works through sessions, they are also working with supervisors in providing the information and applying it to clients.
• On April 4, there are 57 people from the Center for Manufacturing Excellence meeting to discuss a variety of topics. Career Pathways will be presented to validate where the training is going. Production was one of six pathways that was identified.
Kim Sullenberger mentioned next the Deputy Secretaries from Labor and Industry and Department of Public Welfare will be meeting with WIB directors from across the Commonwealth to discuss integration of services. DPW is proposing to no longer use L & I to drawdown funds for their programs but to disperse them directly to local areas.
Kim along with the Department of Labor and Industry will be presenting as a tri-state regional group on the CWDS system in Baltimore. This will show how information can be shared with other programs such as DPW and could lead to integration of programs.
Adjournment
Corey Carolla from the Michigan group thanked the EC for sharing Scott with them. They are going away with lots of good information. Scott mentioned he has also received some good information shared by the Michigan group with him.
The Executive Committee adjourned at 5.06 p.m.
Next Meeting
May 1, 2012 at 3:30 p.m.
Liberty Place Suite #112
313 West Liberty Street
Lancaster, PA 17603
